“Independent directors ensure the future of companies”

PEOPLE

MARIETA DEL RIVERO (AMP ’16), BOARD MEMBER OF CELLNEX TELECOM “Independent directors ensure the future of companies”

Technology and marketing crossed paths for Marieta del Rivero (AMP ’16) more than two decades ago. Since then, the major transformations in the digital industry have shaped both her life story and her career.

“I didn’t have it easy in the beginning; being a woman and not being an engineer was a challenge. But I jumped on the wave in a very attractive sector that was experiencing double-digit growth. It’s been satisfying to be part of the success of this market.” Her deep knowledge of innovation is what led her to write and publish the recent book Smart Cities, una visión para el ciudadano (Smart Cities: An Outlook for Citizens), an enjoyable tour of the world’s pre-eminent urban centers.

Married with two children, and a lover of outdoor sports, hers has been a journey that’s seen her in leading positions of responsibility at Amena, Xfera, Nokia and Telefónica and strategic consulting at Ericsson, and as a board member at RocaSalvatella and Made in Mobile. Her career path reached new heights this year as she was named independent director of Cellnex Telecom, which is partly owned by Abertis and was the only IBEX 35 company without a single woman on its board. “I am facing a new challenge and doing so with the conviction that independent directors are set to play an increasingly important role in corporate governance. There is no doubt that we ensure the future of companies,” Del Rivero says.

She arrives at Cellnex with a wealth of international expertise and knowledge of the technological world. But, above all, her mission on the board is to advocate the social good of the company and its shareholders. “Helping to solidify this institution is extremely invigorating,” she says.

Del Rivero does not feel conditioned by the quota policy and especially appreciates the company’s commitment to having independent directors. “Right now, we’re a majority, and we represent diverse nationalities, which makes things even more interesting, perhaps, than having gender diversity.” Her decision to join the project was also heavily influenced by the professionalism of the board, headed up by Francisco Reynes (MBA ’89) as non-executive chairman.

As an alumni of IESE, where she recently completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP), Marieta del Riverorates her academic experience as 10 out of 10. “It has been enormously gratifying. Updating trends, spending quality time working on cases as a group, the one-to-one with professors and the daily contact with top-flight executives has been extremely enriching,” she explains.

From student to mentor, one of her many current tasks is assisting other women in their careers. “Those of us who have reached a certain level as female board directors have an obligation to help other professionals.” She is also president of the Spanish chapter of the International Women’s Forum and a member of Women Corporate Directors, two institutions that promote women’s leadership and the presence of women in management.

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